After the young man left the Hokage's office, two figures emerged from the opposite door.
"Hiruzen, you are far too impulsive," Uchiha Rei adjusted his glasses. As a senior advisor, he spoke with blunt authority, offering criticism without ceremony.
The Third Hokage merely smiled, not intending to justify his decision to his former teammate.
"That is the Nine-Tailed Jinchuriki. Are you truly willing to let her go on missions like this?" Rei's tone softened slightly, acknowledging the gravity of Hiruzen's choice.
"Excessive protection can backfire," Hiruzen replied calmly. "For a Jinchuriki, nothing protects them better than their own strength."
He glanced at Rei and added, "Do you want Kushina to be trapped in Konoha for twenty years, like Mito-senpai?"
Rei sighed, understanding the weight behind the words. If anyone deserved sympathy, it was Mito Uzumaki. After the death of the Second Hokage, she had carried Konoha's burdens almost alone.
Still, Rei couldn't resist a reminder. "Now that the Nine-Tailed Jinchuriki is to be active, is it wise to let Hayashi protect her alone? If anything were to happen, it isn't just the death of a person at stake. The Nine-Tails could fall into the hands of another village."
"You underestimate Hayashi's strength. Not many could take Kushina from him," Hiruzen said, firm in his decision.
Utatane Koharu, watching silently, didn't question Hayashi's abilities, but she was slightly displeased that the Hokage was pairing Kushina with him. Truthfully, she didn't have much fondness for Kushina. She would have preferred someone from the Hyuga family or even, if age allowed, the Senju princess Tsunade. Had Tsunade known Koharu's thoughts, she might have drawn her kunai immediately.
"Old lady?! Damn it, I'll stay eighteen forever!" Koharu muttered under her breath, shaking her head.
Rei ignored her musings and said quietly, "I hope your choice proves wise."
With that, he turned and left the Hokage's office, leaving Hiruzen alone. Danzo, as usual, went unmentioned.
Outside the office, Hayashi walked toward the Senju clan grounds.
He stopped in front of Kushina's small home and knocked gently.
"Kana?"
"It's me," Hayashi replied.
"K-Kushina… coming!"
Kushina hadn't expected visitors at this hour, and she was flustered. Like many single girls, her living room was cluttered with empty fast-food containers, scattered drink bottles, and clothes lying around.
Not only that, but she looked down at her attire—wearing only a thin, pink slip for comfort in the heat. How could she meet her crush like this?
It took her over ten minutes to finally open the door, cheeks flushed in embarrassment.
"Wel… welcome, sorry for the wait!"
"I came late because I had something to tell you," Hayashi said gently.
"Okay."
Kushina quickly tidied her hair, pushing aside her embarrassment to welcome him in. The boy's visit—even at night—was a happy surprise.
"I'll make some tea," she said, heading for the kitchen.
Hayashi nodded and took a seat. On the table were a few carefully arranged flowers, likely Mikoto's handiwork.
A few minutes later, Kushina returned with a tray carrying two cups of herbal tea.
"Here, drink this."
"Thanks." Hayashi took a sip, savoring it.
"How is it?" Kushina asked nervously.
"Delicious. Rare that you'd know my taste," he replied with a small smile.
Heartened, Kushina giggled softly.
After some casual conversation, Hayashi's expression turned serious. "Kushina, do you remember Uzushiogakure from back then?"
Kushina froze. Uzushiogakure was not a pleasant memory. Years of famine and war had marked it, and had Mito not intervened to bring her to Konoha, she might have perished like so many of her clan.
"Impressions…" she pondered. "I barely remember anything. Maybe the approximate location on a map. Nothing more."
She didn't speak the full truth—she could never forget the corpses and the flames—but recounting it felt meaningless. A shadow of sadness passed through her bright eyes.
"I'm sorry for making you remember that," Hayashi said, his tone heavy. "Do you want to go back and see it?"
"Can we?" Kushina straightened, gazing into his black eyes. Despite the unpleasant memories, it was still her hometown.
"Of course. There's a mission that will take us to the Land of Whirlpools. I came tonight to tell you," he explained.
"Just the two of us?" she asked nervously, shrinking back in her chair.
"Don't you want to go?"
"It's not that…" Kushina's heart raced. Going back with Hayashi felt surreal. She blushed, lowering her gaze to hide it.
Then she remembered Kana. She lived nearby in the Senju clan and hadn't been back either. It wouldn't feel right to leave her behind.
"Can you bring Kana along?" Kushina asked, biting her lip.
Hayashi shook his head. "I'm afraid not. This is a mission, not a trip. Minato will take her later."
Kushina nodded, her emotions a mix of regret and excitement.
"I'll start packing now."
"Don't worry, the Third Hokage has given us plenty of time for this mission," Hayashi reassured her.
"Okay," she replied, settling back into her chair.
"Also, this is for you." Hayashi pulled a scroll from his ninja bag and handed it to her.
"What is this?"
"Your Jonin vest and some equipment distributed for you by the Third Hokage. I brought them here."
"Thank you!" Kushina exclaimed, suddenly hugging him.
After stepping back, her cheeks burned as she rushed toward her room.
"What are you doing?" Hayashi asked.
"I'm changing into my mission gear. You can see if it fits later," she said with a mischievous smile.
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